23.Jan.14, 11:44 PM
Quennell smiled gently, thoroughly enchanted by the young man’s awkward unease. He had been a teacher, once, so very long ago, and the personalities of his students had ever been something the man had found interesting. The way in which different people responded to things – from the most innocent of ‘hello’ to the most dramatic emergency – had always been of the utmost interest. How someone reacted to an emergency, Quennell had ever considered the most bare, basic indication of someone’s character. Did they freak out and lose all ability to function? Did they take charge, of did they solider on, following orders with calm assurance?
The best part, however, was learning to pick them. Learning who it was that would take charge, and who it was that would fall apart… Quennell blinked back to reality was Yulieas’ voice suddenly filled the space between them and he focused once more on the young man before him, and less on the assorted memories of the past. A bright, warm smile lit up the elderly man’s face and he nodded once, pleased with the more explanatory answer he was given.
“Wonderful,” Quennell murmured gently, shifting the heavy book in his hands so that he could offer his right hand to the young man before him, smiling gently. “I am Quennell,” chances were the youngster knew how he was, of course, but that was never an excuse for being rude! “Is there an area of the gardens you most prefer?” He himself had several locations in the carefully maintained Gardens that he could sit in for hours on end, but since his young companion had opted to be so kind as to keep him company, Quennell’s warm smile invited the boy to choose where they might spend their time.
The best part, however, was learning to pick them. Learning who it was that would take charge, and who it was that would fall apart… Quennell blinked back to reality was Yulieas’ voice suddenly filled the space between them and he focused once more on the young man before him, and less on the assorted memories of the past. A bright, warm smile lit up the elderly man’s face and he nodded once, pleased with the more explanatory answer he was given.
“Wonderful,” Quennell murmured gently, shifting the heavy book in his hands so that he could offer his right hand to the young man before him, smiling gently. “I am Quennell,” chances were the youngster knew how he was, of course, but that was never an excuse for being rude! “Is there an area of the gardens you most prefer?” He himself had several locations in the carefully maintained Gardens that he could sit in for hours on end, but since his young companion had opted to be so kind as to keep him company, Quennell’s warm smile invited the boy to choose where they might spend their time.